Issue 703

Furlough for working parents

After a series of chaotic announcements on school closures, the TUC is calling on the government to offer furlough to all working parents (...).

The “plus” factor

To successfully challenge a complaint of indirect age discrimination about a provision, criterion or practice, employers have to show that it was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. In Heskett v The Secretary of State for Justice, the Court of Appeal held that the need to reduce or constrain staffing costs can amount to a legitimate aim (...).

Taking protective steps

The High Court has held in R (The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain) v The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and ors that the concept of “worker” protected under two EU health and safety directives must include all those who fall within the EU law definition of the term. As such, so-called limb (b) workers such as gig economy workers are covered (...).